Case Studies

This chapter offers a case study comparison in order to extrapolate lessons learned from different contexts and to investigate the key elements of effective mediation. The investigation and exploration looks at the following categories: (1) key lessons learned; (2) background of the conflict, including chronology of main event, causes of incompatibility, and balance of forces1; (3) pre-negotiation phase, including previous attempts to negotiate the issues and highlighting entry points for third parties; (4) negotiation phase, including style and strategy, key issues, participation and inclusivity, special considerations; and (5) assessment, including an appreciation of agreement, context, and outlook.

Defining the Terms

This chapter provides an overview of existing terminology in mediation and group-related conflict. It is important to understand the location of mediation within the theoretical postulates on conflict management as this understanding allows one to extrapolate the impact of mediated processes on group dynamics and the relevance of mediation's transformative power on systems.

The State of the Art in Mediation

In this chapter, after a brief synthesis of emerging research on mediation, a reflection on the mediator's roles and styles will lay the ground for a better understanding of the personality and personal styles of mediators and how these affect the procedural component of mediation. Second, a deeper reflection on group processes allows us to understand how groups try to align themselves in regards to the mediation trajectory. Whereas the focus of this chapter is on mediation, inter- and intragroup processes are characterized by a range of negotiated processes. A better understanding of these negotiated processes allows for a better assessment of mediation strategies. Thirdly, an experiment in group negotiations forms the basis for a grounded theory approach and a better understanding of how groups in conflict can align their visions and strategies to the mediator's goals, leading to better process outcomes.

Process Outcomes

Based on the aforementioned, it is now possible to allow for a discussion on how mediation strategy can account for group congruence at the sub-group level and compatibility with the mediator's goals. A mediation strategy is the roadmap approach to the regulation of the conflict, including the principles of (1) process design (process); (2) roles, views, and expectations of local and international actors (context), coordination architecture; and (3) an indication of post-agreement requirements (outcome) to enable peace (agreement) implementation.

Grounded Theory

In order to locate the discussion of political mediation in the context of intra-state conflicts, this chapter focuses on the intra-group level of conflict dynamics. Since most approaches to political mediation focus on the state, this research is innovative in the sense that it acknowledges that bottom-level dynamics have an important impact on group-level negotiations and cohesion. In order to argue for a better appreciation of actor dynamics, the relevant theoretical postulates are highlighted, providing a meta-framework for analysis.